Track Smack: A rougher bump-n-run, Chase style (cont'd)

2) OK, if we're saying those Hendrick cats might take each other out, then -- does that project Clint Bowyer into the lead in what, for all intents and purposes, has become a three-man race?

Dave Rodman: NASCAR doesn't have a "Most Improved Driver" category, but if they did, Clint would win it, hands-down -- in a vote of fans, competitors or anyone else. You only have to look at what he did at Lowe's to know that.

Raygan Swan: 10-4! It's really impressive he's been able to stick around. His best Martinsville finish is 11th but he'll do better -- I'm sure of it!

Dave Rodman: Clint and his team have become the consummate championship contenders this season. His finishes had basically been not too good there previously, and with everything on the line he just delivered.

Duane Cross: No doubt it's a three-driver Chase, and Clint deserves a lot of props for his improved results this year. Still, Tony Stewart is not out of the picture, though he's certainly on the fringe.

Raygan Swan: Yeah, let's not forget Tony -- but he's 198 points out. I'd say it's a three-man race as much as I would love to see those dark curls win another championship! Ha! The fans love Tony's new hair and say not to cut it!

Dave Rodman: Well, I still say those guys won't take each other out, so if that's the case, the dynamic has already been proven these last couple weeks and it will continue: It's impossible to make up that much ground barring sheer excellence, a la Jimmie Johnson 2006; or a complete collapse by a competitor, a la Jeff Burton, Martinsville 2006.

Duane Cross: Smoke is the wild-card driver. He's capable of making a run -- but he has to keep his composure. It'll be interesting to see how Tony races with Paul Menard at Martinsville. There isn't a lot of room for give-and-take at that track.

Dave Rodman: Totally -- and I think he'll keep his head straight. But my point was, those other three aren't going to give him a chance to make a difference.

Raygan Swan: Tony will be at the front and old Elvis side burns will be bringing up the tail end, hehehe. So they won't be racing together DC, ouch baby, very ouch! Sorry Paul.

Dave Rodman: I'd have to say that Tony and Paul are back to square one -- at least I hope so. Tony's gooberish behavior at Dover might have prompted Paul to not cut him a break at Lowe's -- who knows? But it's a lot to ask someone to think about letting someone merge when you're in that melee on pit road.

Raygan Swan: You have to think that even if Tony wins races that JG and JJ are going to be right there and that point difference is going to be tough to make up.

Dave Rodman: Exactly. Either of them won't screw up more than once the rest of the way in, in my opinion.

Duane Cross: Won't argue that; the HMS guys have the field covered each week. It's been a tremendous year for Hendrick. It ain't over yet, but if it's going to happen -- Bowyer, Stewart making up ground -- this may be the weekend for it to happen; I don't see Gordon and / or Johnson having a hiccup on a 1.5-mile track, and those dominate the latter half of the Chase.

Dave Rodman: Well, they've had plenty of hiccups on just those tracks the last couple years, even. So we'll see. But I'll say this: The longer they let Clint lurk, the more a single disaster might do them in -- and a singleton can happen.

Duane Cross: Jeff Burton lost the Chase last year at Martinsville. If it happens again, maybe Martinsville should come up with a catchy nickname to help market the track.

Raygan Swan: Hey Dave -- I dare you to call Tony a goober this weekend in Martinsville!

Dave Rodman: He acted like a goober at Dover. Paulie had every right to use his pit box the way he did, there. I wouldn't have any reason to do it this weekend because by and large, Tony is cool.

Duane Cross: He'd stick a hot dog in your ear.

Dave Rodman: I don't think he'd make that choice, over eating it -- unless he had two or three of 'em in his possession. ... That is a possibility, isn't it?

Duane Cross: You know if he's got one, there's at least one more.

Dave Rodman: Sheesh! That might be one in each ear and another in his gut. Depends on whether or not he considers them expendable.

Raygan Swan: Tony is not fat; he's big boned, to quote Eric Cartman! And duh, it's the Subway 500, Tony won't be eating nasty nitrate-laced hot dogs, he'll be mealing on 6-inch clubs!

Dave Rodman: This is not TV, Raygs. Red dogs rule.

Duane Cross: Yeah, "big boned." When was the last time you saw a fat skeleton? (Continued)